Navigating the early education stages of your child’s development, particularly with an autism diagnosis, can be both thrilling and challenging.
As a parent, you want the best for your child, and finding the right program is crucial to their early development. What if there was a way you could provide your child with the skills they truly need for individual growth, independence, and readiness for both school and life?
We understand the importance of a positive, supportive learning environment.
That’s why Optimal Beginnings is an excellent alternative to traditional preschool for children aged 18-36 months – We’re here to ensure that your child’s early educational experiences are both joyful and effective.
With over 30 years of dedicated experience working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Optimal Beginning’s Founder and CEO, Dr. Dana Visalli-Gold, has seen firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come with this journey. Her track record of successful outcomes and commitment to ongoing innovation led her to develop a program at Optimal Beginnings that provides a solution that is both comprehensive and uniquely tailored to each child’s developmental needs.
With our approach to customized, integrated services and a highly-qualified and compassionate team, we work with you to help your child build a successful foundation for kindergarten and beyond.
The Truth about Preschool and Readiness
Society often emphasizes that all kids should get into the public school system as early as preschool. This pressure can be overwhelming, and many parents worry that if their child doesn’t start preschool within the system, they’ll miss out on critical resources, therapies, or IEP (Individualized Education Plan) support later on.
Maybe you’ve been told by friends, family, or even your pediatrician that preschool is the “right” or “only” option. But deep down, you’re feeling unsure. You’ve been asking yourself questions like:
“What if my child isn’t ready? What if they fall behind? If my child isn’t in the system now, will they still have access to what they need later?”
The truth is, your child will still have access to all the necessary support when they enter the public school system in kindergarten…
Our goal is that by the time they enter kindergarten, they will need less support because they’ve already built the foundational skills that are critical for their development.
At Optimal Beginnings, we specialize in providing intensive, individualized therapy during those crucial preschool years, setting your child up for success.
So, what exactly can you expect from Optimal Beginnings?
At Optimal Beginnings, you’ll find a supportive community that values each child’s unique journey. Our clinics, schedule, staffing, and parent resources have been meticulously put together to maximize learning opportunities for children. This approach includes:
- Personalized Programs: Each child receives a tailored plan that highlights their strengths and targets areas for development.
- Engaging Environments: Our clinics are designed to be stimulating and nurturing, making learning enjoyable and effective.
- Dedicated Team: Our staff are passionate professionals committed to supporting your child’s growth and celebrating their progress
By investing in this focused, personalized approach during the preschool years, you’re not only preparing your child to enter the school system – you’re giving them the tools to thrive in it with more confidence and independence.
Crafting a Journey Just for Your Child
Our Integrated Services model is all about one thing: helping your child shine in their own special way!
From the moment we meet your family, our goal is to create a personalized plan that’s as unique as your child. We know every child is different, and that’s why we tailor our programs to highlight their strengths and work on areas that will help them grow.
Individualized Learning Plans
We start by getting to know your child and your family — Our team of experts conduct thorough assessments to understand your child’s strengths, interests, and areas where they may need support. From there, we design a personalized program that incorporates engaging activities and strategies tailored specifically to your child’s needs.
We use a combination of structured activities, play, and social interactions to ensure that our clients become the most independent in the least restrictive environment possible.
Group Activities with Purpose
To be able to apply the skills they learn to their world at large, all of our clients have individualized goals that are applied in a group setting. We place our clients in groups with peers that allow them to maximize their strengths and have opportunities to learn from complementary strengths and deficits.
While the standard in the industry is typically one-on-one guidance, we believe that an adult-led only environment is not applicable to real world interactions and situations.Group interactions provide real-life practice opportunities and help children generalize these skills across different contexts.
A Service Model That Leads to Success
By combining ABA therapy, speech therapy, and social skills coaching together under one roof, we enhance our clients’ development and success in behavioral and life skills, with some including:
- Enhanced Independence: Developing a strong foundation of independence, mastering essential daily living skills such as toileting, dressing, feeding, and personal hygiene. This progress means they can manage more tasks on their own, increasing their self-sufficiency and confidence
- Improved Social Skills: Engaging more effectively with peers, understanding and responding to social cues, sharing, taking turns, and participating in group activities with increasing ease.
- Effective Communication: Marked progress in communication skills, whether through verbal language, non-verbal cues, or augmentative communication methods.
- Emotional Regulation and Resilience: Identifying and managing their feelings, coping with challenges, and bouncing back from setbacks, leading to more stable and positive emotional well-being.
- Seamless Transition to Future Educational Settings: Developing the skills and confidence needed to adapt to new settings and continue their educational journey successfully.
Engaging Environments That Support Growth
Unlike traditional preschools, Our clinics are designed to be vibrant, welcoming spaces where learning is fun and effective. We focus on creating a nurturing environment where your child can thrive, build independence, and enjoy learning by providing a warm, supportive community tailored to children aged 18-36 months.
For example, instead of navigating crowded classrooms and rigid routines, your child is in a setting where their unique needs are understood and met.
Kids need opportunities to gain confidence in areas that they can successfully be independent while receiving support in areas that they are not independent yet. Our services are tailored to let kids be independent when they are able to be in a safe environment.
The Critical Role of Parents in Sustained Success
We recognize that families are key partners in a child’s development. We prioritize keeping parents informed and involved in their child’s progress through several comprehensive communication strategies.
Here’s how we ensure that parents stay updated:
- Regular parent coaching sessions with your child’s BCBA to help understand the techniques and strategies being used in the program
- Observations of therapy sessions to see progress and areas of improvement firsthand
- Ongoing communication through clinic events and speech team office hours
- Workshops and training sessions to provide tips and tools for supporting their child’s development at home
It’s important for parents to feel confident in their ability to support their child’s growth. By providing families with tools, strategies, and support, we ensure that they’re well equipped to promote the skills learned in our program and can also apply it at home and in other settings.
A Team with Expertise and Heart
At Optimal Beginnings, we don’t just provide experts—we surround your family with a team whose passion and dedication to your child’s success runs deep. Your journey matters to us, and we’re here, heart and soul, every step of the way.
Our staff undergoes rigorous training focused on the latest evidence-based practices for working with children specifically with autism. This includes understanding the needs of children in the 18-36 month age range and how to tailor interventions to support their developmental milestones.
Our entire clinical team is given individual and team training on an ongoing basis to grow their skills and experience. Specifically, we train our team in fundamental ABA and SLP concepts to equip them to:
- Teach functional communication
- Manage interfering behaviors
- Support peer interactions
Beyond technical skills, our staff is trained to approach each child with empathy and respect. We emphasize the importance of building strong, trusting relationships with the children, creating a positive and supportive environment that fosters their emotional and social development.
Your Child Deserves An Optimal Beginning
You don’t have to settle for the traditional path that doesn’t fit your child’s unique needs. We understand that every step of this journey is important, and we’re here to walk alongside you with support, encouragement, and a bit of fun! By choosing Optimal Beginnings, you’re ensuring that your child receives the best support while we celebrate their unique path to growth together.
By the end of their time in our preschool alternative program, your child will have built a strong foundation for their future, equipped with the skills, confidence, and resilience to navigate the world with greater independence and joy.
If you’re looking for a place where your child’s individuality is celebrated and their progress is our priority, fill out our registration form for one of our locations today to learn about your options and how to get your child enrolled.